dsm-firmenich announced ‘Frosted Star Anise’ as its Flavor of the Year for 2026, drawing from the Pantone Color of the Year 2026: ‘PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer’. The lofty white hue inspired dsm-firmenich to elevate both an ingredient and a feeling as the 2026 Flavor of the Year. “Together, these two emotional indicators reflect a growing global desire for calm in an increasingly fast-paced world,” the ingredient specialist stated.
‘Frosted Star Anise’ combines the comforting warmth of star anise with a cool, frosted twist. This distinctive pairing is more than flavorful—it represents a dual aspiration: peace and tranquility, embodied by star anise, and revitalization, captured in the refreshing frosted element.
Star anise is a star-shaped spice with a sweet-spicy profile and notes of licorice, clove, and cinnamon. It features in global cuisines—from Vietnamese pho to Moroccan tagine to Mexican café de olla to Chinese five-spice-inspired blends—and in comforting classics like chai, mulled wine, and jams. It also shines in adventurous applications such as root beer floats, BBQ sauce, and confectionery and savory dishes.
“Innovation and cultural insight are at the heart of what we do at dsm-firmenich,” said Maurizio Clementi, EVP for Taste at dsm-firmenich. “Building on star anise’s quiet rise and the growing fascination with cooling and other trigeminal sensations, ‘Frosted Star Anise’ fulfills today’s craving for balance and a breath of fresh air.”
The “frosted” element introduces cooling sensations. “Cooling isn’t a taste—it’s a complex sensation triggered by temperature-sensitive receptors,” explained Jeffrey Schmoyer, VP Human Insights, Taste, Texture & Health at dsm-firmenich.
To select its Flavor of the Year, dsm-firmenich analyzes emerging ingredients. According to the company’s analysis of product launch data, nearly 10,000 products have featured star anise as an ingredient over the past decade, yet only 10% highlighted this fact front-of-pack—a trend now shifting as the profile of star anise rises in awareness. Additionally, dsm-firmenich’s Emotion360 global survey of ingredient perception reveals that while two-thirds of consumers recognize star anise, only 34% have reportedly tasted it—an opportunity for brands to introduce and shape how the flavor is experienced. Notably, star anise is gaining traction in hot and alcoholic drinks—categories that often signal future flavor trends.
“Star anise is a ‘secret weapon’—ubiquitous yet underappreciated,” said Schmoyer. “It’s time this versatile ingredient gets the attention it deserves.”
Flavor as an emotional experience
“Flavor of the Year is more than a taste—it embodies cultural sentiment and emerging trends,” added Clementi. “It’s an astute sense of ‘what’s next,’ distilled into an experience that resonates emotionally with consumers. That’s at the heart of what we do every day.”
Photo: dsm-firmenich